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| Dude Watchmen is coming out Friday; seriously | |
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| Topic Started: Mar 3 2009, 03:35 PM (57 Views) | |
| Chal'ocks Kyntxisson | Mar 3 2009, 03:35 PM Post #1 |
ModCon Champion YMTC 2005
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I'm going to the midnight showing! I'm such a nerd. Even if it's screwed up it's going to look good, judging by the trailers. And if it's bad we still have the book, so it's like a win-win situation! or something. Any other fans of Mr. Moore here? |
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"To be is to do" - Socrates "To do is to be" - Jean-Paul Satre "Do be do be do" - Frank Sinatra | |
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| syko | Mar 4 2009, 12:34 AM Post #2 |
Self-Proclaimed Lord of Pointless Spamming
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I haven't read the graphic novel, though I do recall your endorsement of it, which resonated quite well in me and allowed me to receive the very interesting trailers in an even more curious light. I probably won't see it anytime soon simply because its coming out at a bad time for me, but I certainly want to see it, as it does look visually stunning and quite unique so far as superhero films go. I hope you enjoy it! |
| Two paths diverged in a wood, and I, blind to the choices presented, wandered into the middle. | |
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| Peter Griffin | Mar 4 2009, 12:11 PM Post #3 |
Administrator of the Year: 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009
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~walks through thread~ Nah, it looks pretty good, but also just like every other superhero/comic book movie that has come out in the past 10 years. |
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Deep Thoughts By Peter Griffin What the heck is a turtle dove? Obama '08 
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| syko | Apr 2 2009, 11:52 AM Post #4 |
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Self-Proclaimed Lord of Pointless Spamming
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Wrong! Not like any other superhero film at all. Similar in tone to The Dark Knight, but far better than that ever was. Watchmen (8.9): So I just watched it this morning, and I have to say that I am quite blown away. Where to begin? First off, the visual style should be commended, as the film was quite beautiful from beginning to end, even when depicting some ugly and disgusting things. On that note, the film was discernibly dark and depressing; its message a philosophically poignant yet abjectly true commentary on the nature of humanity. Given how heavy and serious such tones were in the plot, I can see why the Graphic Novel was so highly regarded, as the writing was simply top notch wonderful in that it incorporated such speculation and dismal observations quite naturally into the characters and events. Speaking of the characters, it had a hand full of rather unique individuals at the heart of the film. The two "main" characters who together represented humanity's brighter side, Night Owl II and Silk Spectre II, were well executed enough but nothing that hasn't been seen before. However, it was the three other "main" characters, each of which was an aspect of humanity's darker side, who really stole the show for me. Ozymandius, the smartest man on Earth, was interesting but didn't really get to put out much until the end of the film; however, when he did, he was quite captivating. Dr. Manhattan, the emotionless blue man from the films who turns out to be damn near omnipotent, was quite intriguing in how much he affected, - and yet didn't affect - everything that went on. What interested me the most about his character was just how contemplative and careful he was, and, while I wanted a better explanation as to his origin and why that was, he was different regardless. However, it was definitely Rorschach who really stole the show as the grim anti-hero who would do anything it took to see justive through; most films of the genre touch upon the ambiguity of morality by having a "gray" hero to comment on things, but never have I see one so endlessly fascinating. The acting was good all around, but Jackie Earel Haley as Rorschach was amazing, walking a fine line between Christian Bale's awful sand-gargling voice for Batman and complete captivation, and succeeding entirely Anywho, its really the plot and subtext which make this story what it is. The characters are different enough, but its the way they interact and the situations that unfold because of them which made it so memorable. The story takes place in an alternate 1985 New York, when Nixon has just been elected for a third term and the Soviets, rather than beginning to fall apart, have stock-piled a frightening amount of nuclear weaponry. Super heroes have been an aspect of the American culture since WWII, but, because of the dark turn things are taking, they have now become ridiculed and shut off, with some of them (Ozymandius and Dr. Manhattan) revealing their identities to the world and striving to improve things openly, while the others either hide or continue fighting secretly. The film was interesting the whole way through, but, at about 150 minutes and with a slow-pace, it did take quite a while to get going. However, it wasn't one to rely on overly abundant and ridiculous fight scenes, but rather character-building and storytelling. Most of the first half of the film was devoted to explaining the character's histories and motives, which it did through varying flashbacks put in at relevant times in the story which didn't feel like they were detracting from any action, but rather focusing you towards it. After that, it really picked up and moved towards the plot and culmination of its dark philosophy, which is something I really have to comment on. After all, few films really achieve a truly sympathetic villain. Even though he was criminally genius and quite detatched, his motives and plan made sense and really called everything into question whilst mirroring the film's overall message. The only reason I don't give the film a higher score is mostly because of the length and pacing. While I found it more than tolerable, it likely would be pretty boring and slow at times for anyone who didn't read the Graphic Novel or are very interested in it. Don't get me wrong, though, as I think it was better this way, as I've heard from people who did read the Graphic Novel that it did a very good job keeping things very similar to the feel of the original story, which I think is the most important thing for a movie such as this to do. It could have been a better film in general if it hadn't, I think, but, as is, it was a great film regardless. Definitely give it a chance, Peter, because it is not your regular superhero film at all. |
| Two paths diverged in a wood, and I, blind to the choices presented, wandered into the middle. | |
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| Peter Griffin | Apr 2 2009, 05:30 PM Post #5 |
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Administrator of the Year: 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009
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:\ I'll still pass, sorry. Slumdog Millionaire was good though. |
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Deep Thoughts By Peter Griffin What the heck is a turtle dove? Obama '08
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| Chal'ocks Kyntxisson | May 25 2009, 03:19 PM Post #6 |
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ModCon Champion YMTC 2005
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Glad you liked it syko! It was really good, yes. I think it's probably the best possible movie adaptation of the book, and it had some moments that were better than the book versions (Rorshach's choice, the Antartic fortress, the stunning "times are a changin'" montage) and the one major change from the book (what the plan actually is) was in some ways better than the book version. Haley as Rorschach was excellent, too Still, the book is a superior work (one of my favorite books ever) and you both should check it out, if only for the amazing art and sequencing (one chapter's art is essentially a palindrome) as well as the parallel storyline at a newstand in New York that was completely cut out of the film for time constraints. I like the book so much because it's challenging philosophically, and that carried over to the film. For example, I've never been able to figure out what choice I would make if I were the kid at the newspaper at the end, knowing everything I know (and the kid doesn't) about the consequences of that choice. It kind of boils down to a choice between truth and safety, and the fact that the kid has to make it makes me feel both relieved (because I and the main characters don't have to make the difficult choice) and scared (because he doesn't know what he's doing! then again, what gives the heroes the right to make that sort of choice? and so on.) Anyway glad you liked it syko. |
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"To be is to do" - Socrates "To do is to be" - Jean-Paul Satre "Do be do be do" - Frank Sinatra | |
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| syko | May 25 2009, 10:48 PM Post #7 |
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Self-Proclaimed Lord of Pointless Spamming
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Ahh, I'd been wondering what your take on it was - I'm glad YOU liked it, as that really does mean all of my speculation about it remaining true to the book was in fact somewhat correct! I've actually watched it twice more since I last posted in this thread, and I must say that I appreciate it even more each time, as there is simply so much going on in it which I love to see in films. The music was definitely an aspect I should have mentioned in my previous review, as it was all quite well selected, with that montage at the beginning being a wonderful setting of tone and information (I assume most of that stuff was dealt with at more length in the book?) Anywho, all of your praise certainly isn't going to waste; Watchmen will be high up there on my list should I ever get back into reading a lot. As for the kid's choice at the end, I honestly never really thought about it. I figured that scene was just meant to be a humorous little foil of the whole grand scheme, kind of a homage to how unpredictable and asinine humanity really is. But the way you put it, it certainly does come across as a serious and poignant dilemna. Anywho, thanks for talking about it and recommending it! Had you not mentioned it way back when and then started this thread, I likely would have forgotten about it and missed out. |
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10:24 PM Nov 24
